What do network and computer systems administrators do?
Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.
This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.
Job titles to recognize in your search
O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.
- LAN Administrator (Local Area Network Administrator)
- LAN Specialist (Local Area Network Specialist)
- Network Administrator (Network Admin)
- Network Analyst
- Network Coordinator
- Network Engineer
- Network Manager
- Network Specialist
Core tasks to compare with a job posting
- Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
- Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
- Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.
- Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
- Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software.
- Confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems.
- Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate computer network access and use.
- Maintain logs related to network functions, as well as maintenance and repair records.
- Monitor network performance to determine whether adjustments are needed and where changes will be needed in the future.
- Design, configure, and test computer hardware, networking software and operating system software.
Prepare an application for this occupation
- Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
- Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
- Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
- Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.
Ready to plan your search?
Start with network and computer systems administrators as your target. You can change your role in the quiz and tell us your location and work preferences.